Start of production on the third cycle of the fan-adored detective drama has been moved from January to March. Sources say the shift was necessary to accommodate the busy schedules of the show’s breakout stars, Benedict Cumberbatch (who’s filming Star Trek 2) and Martin Freeman (starring in The Hobbit).

The BBC has not announced a premiere date for season three, but given that January was previously announced as the start of production, fans hoped to see Holmes and Watson return in the summer. Sources say the BBC will air Sherlock series three in late 2013. PBS has to wait until after the BBC’s window. A PBS spokesperson says Sherlock will air either late 2013 — or early 2014.

The first cycle of Sherlock debuted in the UK in July, 2010. The eagerly anticipated second season premiered last January, with PBS debuting the three 90-minute episodes in May. With its second season cliffhanger and increasing critical acclaim and worldwide buzz, anticipation for the next cycle of Sherlock is stronger than ever. From the BBC’s perspective, however, nothing about its schedule has really changed. Though production is starting slightly later than originally hoped, the company has only previously said the show will run sometime next year and recently hinted that a fall debut is likely. But for fans, particularly U.S. fans wanting more Sherlock as soon as possible, well, Holmes would advise patience.

lmao you know that three frame tease we got?? I WAS SO MAD ABOUT THAT, like I don't know who was responsible for only letting that much out BUT AT THAT POINT, WHY BOTHER? THREE FRAMES FROM A SCENE WE'VE SEEN A SNEAKY SET PICTURE OF? I don't think so, come on now.

YES I WAS SO PISSED ABOUT THAT TOO. and now that they're saying they'll show a 9 minute preview of it before the hobbit in imax is making me wonder if that's legit or not or if they're trolling. i'm like ...i'll wait until people come back saying it's real before i bother going to spend money on a ticket, seeing the preview then getting a refund

Ugh same, I'm not sure if I want to pay that much to see it, honestly :( IMAX tickets are so expensive here and there's not one close. And watch, the preview will be like a bunch of footage from the first movie for "backstory" and then some stuff from the new movie. YOU JUST WATCH.

there's only one legit IMAX screen i know and that's at my stepdad's work at universal hollywood. the last time i paid for IMAX was for the avengers and i hardly ever see anything in IMAX. but i have a feeling it will be what you said. i'll be so mad if it's just old footage and behind the scenes where they're far from the set